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The Third Meeting of the 2025-2026 Session of Parliament commenced on Wednesday, 5 November at 2:00 pm. Speaker of the House, Honourable Ezzard Miller acknowledged the University College of the Cayman Islands Board of Governors and thanked them for their development of the institution and commitment to education in the Cayman Islands. Twelve annual reports were tabled, along with two special reports from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Cayman Islands Branch on the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference and the 47th Regional Commonwealth Parliamentary Association – Caribbean, Americas and the Atlantic, respectively. The Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability, Honourable Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, tabled the 2024 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Ministry of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency. Minister Ebanks-Wilks noted the policies developed by the Ministry at the time set a path to real progress and innovation in adapting to a changing climate, access climate funding, managing energy resources and building environmental resilience into every aspect of society and government. The Deputy Governor, Honourable Franz Manderson, tabled the 2023 Annual Report for the Office of the Police Commissioner and highlighted key figures from the report, including 3,955 crimes reported, 2,177 arrests made, 23 illegal firearms recovered, over $900,000 worth of drugs seized and 311 digital and cyber-related investigations conducted. The Deputy Governor also noted that 423 persons were injured in motor vehicle accidents, which he described as staggering, along with 3,196 motor vehicle accidents recorded, 4,654 speeding tickets issued, and 270 persons arrested for DUI. Members of Parliament paid tribute to Franklin Smith Snr., recognised for his contributions to agricultural and farming systems, and Pastor Glarmon Grant (“Bobo”). A minute of silence was observed. Two Bills were given a first reading: the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Bill, 2025 and the Beneficial Ownership Transparency (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2025. However, the Attorney General, Honourable Samuel Bulgin, moved a motion to defer the second reading of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Bill, 2025 for Members of the Opposition to review the Bill. The Premier Honourable André M Ebanks explained the purpose of the Beneficial Ownership Transparency (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2025, is to further strengthen and clarify the Cayman Islands’ beneficial ownership regime under the Beneficial Ownership Transparency Act, 2023, noting that the amendments sought were industry-driven. The Bill progressed through the Committee on Bills and was passed unanimously after its third reading. Four Government motions were passed. The House will reconvene on Thursday, 6 November at 10:00 am when the Government will deliver their National Budget for 2026-2027. To watch Wednesday’s proceedings, visit: First Sitting of the Third Meeting of the 2025-26 Session of Parliament | 5 November 2025 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1rxHu7ZMCA For further information visit: www.gov.ky/governmentinparliament. How to follow: Watch live broadcasts of sittings on CIG YouTube and CIGTV (Logic – Channel 23, C3 – Channel 3, Flow – Channel 106).
